Connecting Hikari and Hida Wide View and the layover period during this train changeover

Hi Daniel,

I am taking these trains using my JR Pass
Kyoto to Nagoya - Hikari
Nagoya to Takayama - Hida Wide View

From the Hyperdia, I understand that the Hikari stops at different platform and Hida Wide View leaves from another platform. The question is Hyperdia gave a timetable where the connection time is 15-20 mins. Locating the right platform could pose a challenge to me as a first timer planning my own trip. Is it allowed that we choose a later departure time for the next train or we must follow exactly as the timetable?

Hope you could advise. TQ

SF